Week 15: #52Ancestors – Solitude By Eilene Lyon I’ve previously mentioned The Putterer’s great-grandfather, Arlon F. Lyon, only in passing. Arlon was born in Chenango County, New York, in May 1860 and was a rarity for the era: an only child.1 His father, Cyrus R. Lyon, was 29 when Arlon came along. His mother, Lucy... Continue Reading →
Shattered and Scattered
Week 39: #52 Ancestors – Road Trip By Eilene Lyon The Putterer’s great-grandmother, Mary Frances (Stephens) Gee, was orphaned at a young age. She was the eighth of nine children of Granville Allen Stephens Sr. and Sarah Poor. (Sarah was a descendant of Revolutionary War patriot, Amos Poor.) Mary Frances had seven brothers and only... Continue Reading →
It’s Complicated!
Week 36: #52 Ancestors – Exploration By Eilene Lyon On any given day, I can go on a major expedition—without leaving my desk. Family history is like that. You might be tempted to call it a “rabbit hole,” and it does involve many diverting side trips, but it is goal-oriented. Unlike building a pedigree, as... Continue Reading →
Emma Does Her Duty
Week 34: #52 Ancestors – Timeline By Eilene Lyon The Putterer’s great-great-grandfather, Henry Bower, passed away March 24, 1916 in LaMoille, Bureau County, Illinois, at the ripe old age of 92. His wife, Hannah Mueller (Miller) predeceased him at age 78 in January 1908. They were the parents of seven children, of whom, six married.... Continue Reading →
On Lexington Common
Week 22: #52 Ancestors – Conflict By Eilene Lyon The Putterer’s 6th great-grandfather, Amos Poor Jr., is an established Patriot in both the DAR and SAR (Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution). He also has the distinction of having been at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.1 Amos and his younger brother, Eliphalet,... Continue Reading →
Parentless
Week 5: #52 Ancestors – Branching Out By Eilene Lyon The genealogical aspect of family history involves sprouting branches on the family tree by adding another generation of ancestors. My tree has robust limbs, at least back to 4th great-grandparents on nearly every line, and much further than that on most. The Putterer’s tree appears... Continue Reading →
The Wanderer
Week 4: #52 Ancestors – Curious By Eilene Lyon The Putterer’s maternal great-grandparents, Arthur Lewis Gee and Mary Frances Stephens, have intrigued me since I came across their (separate) photographs. I knew that Arthur farmed in his early life, but wondered why he roamed around so much between 1900 and 1920. In looking closer, I... Continue Reading →
A German Sojourn
Week 52: #52 Ancestors – Future By Eilene Lyon My grandiose future plan regarding genealogy (we’re talking years from now) is an extended stay in Germany, perhaps six months. Many branches of my family hail from the Germanic regions of Europe. The Putterer also has a large German contingent in his tree. You can see... Continue Reading →
A Doggie (DNA) Christmas
Week 51: #52 Ancestors - Holidays By Eilene Lyon Santa’s Surprises Sometimes a pet story is too cute not to share. While The Putterer was in town, I got out all the gifts I needed to wrap. When I took them upstairs to put under the tree, I discovered that Sterling had snuck into my... Continue Reading →